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Garcia, Cook lead at the Links

George - Sergio Garcia and John Cook combined to shoot an opening betterball seven-under-par 66 to lead by one shot after the first round of the Gary Player Invitational at the Links at Fancourt on Saturday.

They lead the pairings of John Bland and Louise Friberg, and Bertus Smit and Darren Fichardt who shot a pair of 67s.

“John and I played nicely. We probably didn't make a lot of putts, but we're very happy to have shot seven under,” Garcia said.

“A couple holes here and there, you might be more aggressive. Overall though we still play our own game and by doing that we can still make birdies."

Bland and Friberg were upbeat about their chances going into the final round a stroke behind.

Bland has intricate knowledge of the course and should be able to use home advantage to keep the pressure on Garcia and Cook.

“We're going to beat them like a drum tomorrow,” said Bland .

The South African duo of Gary Player and Lee-Anne Pace finished a further two shots behind at four-under-par 69.

“Absolutely amazing, one of the best days of my life. It's a great honour to not only meet Gary but to play with him as well," said Pace.

Player, who believed Pace had the ability to win a major, was impressed with her game.

“This young lady has a bright future. The way she keeps the ball in play, her course management and putting are all outstanding," he said.

Player added she should work hard in the gym to gain extra distance, advice he would give any golfer.

“You're not short (off the tee), but you could be longer, and the only way you're going to do that is by going to the gym," he said.

“If she gains an extra fifteen yards off the tee, she will definitely win a Major."

The group of Garcia, Cook, former Manchester United star Dwight Yorke and businesswomen Sinead Kenny led by one shot on 14 under par in the fourball alliance competition.

“I was terrified to be honest," said Yorke, who plays off a four handicap.

"I mean, I've played in front of big crowds in my career but this was just so different. Absolutely terrifying."

First round scores from the 2010 Gary Player Invitational presented by Coca-Cola played on the par-73 Links Golf Course at Fancourt in George:

Betterball Medal (professionals only):
66 John Cook & Sergio Garcia
67 John Bland & Louise Friberg; Bertus Smit & Darren Fichardt
69 Gary Player & Lee-Anne Pace; Bobby Lincoln & Lindani Ndwandwe
70 Vincent Tshabalala & George Coetzee; Mark McNulty & Retief Goosen
72 Tony Johnstone & Carly Booth

Fourball Alliance (best two scores to count)

-14 Sinead Kenny, Dwight Yorke, John Cook & Sergio Garcia
-13 Alex Maditsi, Thomas Msengana, Bertus Smit & Darren Fichardt
-9 Alan Campey, Kimberlin Brown, Bobby Lincoln & Lindani Ndwandwe
-8 Jurgen Dorsch, Zinzan Brooke, Mark McNulty & Retief Goosen
-7 Hendrik Riehmer, Sasha Martinengo, Vincent Tshabalala & George Coetzee
-5 Dr Andrew Golding, Lucas Radebe, John Bland & Louise Friberg
-4 Claudia Schoenfeld, Brian Lara, Gary Player & Lee-Anne Pace
-1 Dr Hans Walter-Peters, Shaun Pollock, Tony Johnstone & Carly Booth

Tee times for the second round on Sunday, November 21:
09:00 Dr Hans Walter-Peters; Shaun Pollock; Tony Johnstone; Carly Booth
09:12 Claudia Schoenfeld; Brian Lara; Gary Player; Lee-Anne Pace
09:24 Dr Andrew Golding; Lucas Radebe; John Bland; Louise Friberg
09:36 Hendrik Riehmer; Sasha Martinengo; Vincent Tshabalala; George Coetzee
09:48 Jurgen Dorsch; Zinzan Brooke; Mark McNulty; Retief Goosen
10:00 Alan Campey; Kimberlin Brown; Bobby Lincoln; Lindani Ndwandwe
10:12 Alex Maditsi; Unathi Msengan; Bertus Smit; Darren Fichardt
10:24 Sinead Kenny; Dwight Yorke; John Cook; Sergio Garcia

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